PST to CET Converter
Convert time between Pacific Standard Time (PST) and Central European Time (CET)
Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Central European Time (CET)
Time Difference
Central European Time (CET) is 0 hours ahead of Pacific Standard Time (PST)
Select Date
Select Time
Quick Reference
| PST | CET |
|---|---|
| 18:00 | 03:00 |
| 20:00 | 05:00 |
| 22:00 | 07:00 |
| 00:00 | 09:00 |
| 02:00 | 11:00 |
| 04:00 | 13:00 |
| 06:00 | 15:00 |
| 08:00 | 17:00 |
| 10:00 | 19:00 |
| 12:00 | 21:00 |
| 14:00 | 23:00 |
| 16:00 | 01:00 |
Top 10 Most Common Time Zones
| Abbreviation | Full Name | UTC Offset | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTC | Coordinated Universal Time | UTC ±0 | Global reference standard (servers, logs, APIs) |
| EST / EDT | Eastern (US) Time | UTC −5 / −4 | New York, Toronto — North American business hub |
| CST / CDT | Central (US) Time | UTC −6 / −5 | Chicago, Dallas — US central business region |
| PST / PDT | Pacific (US) Time | UTC −8 / −7 | San Francisco, Los Angeles — tech industry standard |
| GMT / BST | Greenwich Mean / British Summer Time | UTC 0 / +1 | UK, used globally as a reference with UTC |
| CET / CEST | Central European (Summer) Time | UTC +1 / +2 | Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam — EU business core |
| IST | India Standard Time | UTC +5:30 | India — major IT & outsourcing region |
| CST | China Standard Time | UTC +8 | Beijing, Shanghai — East Asia business hub |
| JST | Japan Standard Time | UTC +9 | Tokyo — finance & tech hub |
| AEST / AEDT | Australian Eastern (Daylight) Time | UTC +10 / +11 | Sydney, Melbourne — APAC regional business |
Why Time Zone Abbreviations Are Ambiguous
Unlike standardized identifiers (like America/New_York or Europe/London from the IANA tz database), abbreviations such as "CST" or "IST" are not globally unique. They can refer to different time zones depending on context — country, region, or even time of year (due to daylight saving time).
Common Ambiguous Time Zone Abbreviations
| Abbrev. | Common Meaning(s) | UTC Offset | Region(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CST | Central Standard Time / China Standard Time / Cuba Standard Time | UTC−6 / UTC+8 / UTC−5 | North America, China, Cuba |
| IST | Indian Standard Time / Irish Standard Time / Israel Standard Time | UTC+5:30 / UTC+1 / UTC+2 | India, Ireland, Israel |
| AST | Atlantic Standard Time / Arabia Standard Time | UTC−4 / UTC+3 | Caribbean, Canada, Middle East |
| PST | Pacific Standard Time / Philippine Standard Time | UTC−8 / UTC+8 | North America, Philippines |
| EST | Eastern Standard Time (North America / Australia) | UTC−5 / UTC+10 | North America, Australia |
✅ Best Practice
To avoid ambiguity, always:
- Use IANA tz identifiers — e.g.,
America/New_Yorkinstead of "EST" - Specify UTC offset explicitly — e.g.,
UTC−5when abbreviations must be used - Include the full timezone name — e.g., "Eastern Standard Time (EST)" with UTC offset
Related Time Zone Conversions
About PST to CET Time Conversion
Converting time between Pacific Standard Time (PST) and Central European Time (CET) is essential for coordinating between the Pacific Coast and Central Europe. PST is UTC-8 (observed during winter, November to March), while CET is UTC+1 (observed during winter, same months). CET is 9 hours ahead of PST.
This conversion is important for international businesses coordinating between Pacific region cities (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle) and Central European cities (Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Munich). The 9-hour offset during winter decreases to 8 hours during summer when PST transitions to PDT and/or CET transitions to CEST. Both regions observe daylight saving time on different dates, creating seasonal variations in the time difference. Tech companies, finance firms, automotive manufacturers, and international organizations manage this significant time gap through careful scheduling and asynchronous communication. Understanding the seasonal transitions is crucial for managing recurring meetings and business operations.
Common Use Cases for PST to CET Conversion
Business & Work
- Scheduling calls between Pacific Coast offices and Central European headquarters
- Coordinating international tech development teams across regions
- Managing global finance operations with offices in both regions
- Planning international conferences and meetings with both regions
Personal & Travel
- Coordinating with family and friends in Central Europe
- Planning travel between Pacific Coast and Central European destinations
- Scheduling virtual meetings with Central Europe-based relatives
- Arranging online collaboration with Central Europe-based colleagues
Time Zone Information
Pacific Standard Time (PST)
- UTC Offset: UTC-8 (UTC-7 during PDT)
- IANA Timezone: America/Los_Angeles
- Daylight Saving: Second Sunday in March to First Sunday in November
- Major Cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, San Diego
- Coverage: Pacific United States and Canada (winter months)
Central European Time (CET)
- UTC Offset: UTC+1 (UTC+2 during CEST)
- IANA Timezone: Europe/Berlin
- Daylight Saving: Winter time (last Sunday in October to last Sunday in March), Summer time CEST (UTC+2)
- Major Cities: Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Munich, Budapest, Warsaw
- Coverage: Central Europe including Germany, Austria, France, Poland, and surrounding regions
Quick Reference: PST to CET
Remember: CET is 9 hours ahead of PST (November-March). When PDT and/or CEST are active (summer months), the difference reduces to 8 or 7 hours. Always verify which period applies when scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time difference between PST and CET?
Pacific Standard Time (PST) is UTC-8, while Central European Time (CET) is UTC+1. This means CET is 9 hours ahead of PST. When you have 12:00 PM in Los Angeles (PST), it's 9:00 PM the same day in Berlin (CET).
How does PST transition differently from CET?
PST transitions to PDT (Pacific Daylight Time, UTC-7) on the second Sunday in March, while CET transitions to CEST (Central European Summer Time, UTC+2) on the last Sunday in March. This means the time difference changes from 9 hours to 8 hours during the overlap period when PDT is active and CET is still in effect.
When does CET transition to CEST, and how does that affect the time difference?
CET transitions to CEST (Central European Summer Time) on the last Sunday in March and back to CET on the last Sunday in October. From March to October, the offset is only 8 hours. From November to March, when both PST and CET are standard times, the offset is 9 hours. PST transitions on different dates (second Sunday in March and first Sunday in November), creating temporary mismatches.
What are the best times to schedule calls between Pacific Coast and Central Europe?
The 9-hour difference during winter (PST-CET) and 8-hour difference during summer (PDT-CEST) limits overlap but provides better windows than with other European zones. Early morning in Pacific (7-9 AM PST) corresponds to 4-6 PM in Central Europe (CET), providing good afternoon overlap. Late evening in Pacific (6-8 PM PST) corresponds to next day morning 3-5 AM, which is not ideal. The early morning Pacific window is typically best for real-time business discussion.
How does the 9-hour offset affect international business coordination?
The 9-hour PST-CET offset is relatively manageable compared to larger transatlantic gaps. Companies can leverage the morning-afternoon overlap (7-9 AM PST = 4-6 PM CET) for synchronous meetings. The offset allows for some daily overlap without requiring extreme meeting times for either region. This makes PST-CET coordination more practical than Pacific-to-UK (10 hours) or Pacific-to-Eastern Europe coordination (10-11 hours).
Which industries and companies typically coordinate across PST and CET timezones?
Tech companies, automotive manufacturers, financial services firms, pharmaceutical companies, and multinational enterprises coordinate across these regions. Central Europe is a major hub for tech development, finance, and engineering. The region is also important for companies with headquarters in German-speaking countries. Companies manage the 9-hour gap through strategic morning meetings, documentation sharing, and often maintaining teams in both regions for round-the-clock operations.
Pro Tips
- • CET (Central European Time) runs from late October to late March. During this period, the time difference is 9 hours - making early morning Pacific time the best for CET business hours coordination.
- • Early morning Pacific time (7-9 AM PST) is optimal for Central European business hours (4-6 PM CET) - this window ensures both regions are alert and productive for important discussions.
- • Late evening Pacific time (6-8 PM PST) maps to next day early morning in Central Europe (3-5 AM CET) - avoid scheduling important meetings during this window.
- • The transition dates differ: PST changes on second Sunday in March/first Sunday in November, while CET changes on last Sunday in March/October. Track both calendars to manage the time difference accurately.
- • Summer CEST (April-October) reduces the difference to 8 hours - schedule recurring meetings early to maintain consistency as the overlap window slightly improves.
- • Use asynchronous communication for non-urgent matters. Document decisions, send status updates, and use shared project management tools to maintain productivity across the 9-hour gap.
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